It has been a long, long time since I had a new, strictly creator-owned book come out. Yes, I am a co-creator of the Extraction franchise and yes, our Tyler Rake: An Extraction Story series did ship in April, but it’s not quite the same as a book like Bad Thoughts, which debuts today. Bad Thoughts, which stems from an idea I’ve been kicking around for well more than a decade, is the most personal thing I’ve written since Capote in Kansas (2005).
Why has it been so long? Well, that’s a long story informed by a series of projects and/or collaborators that fizzled in various, heartbreaking ways. A couple of graphic novels fell apart. I spent several years writing comics for hire at Dynamite Press (I’m still very proud of our twenty-five issue Lone Ranger run). I wrote a novel that I couldn’t sell (that one was particularly crushing). I chased Hollywood money, eventually trading a small pile of screenplays and tv scripts for nothing more than a stack of producers’ notes. As Orson Welles said, “Unrewarding.”
It wasn’t until Ignition Press came along a few years ago that I was tempted to create wholly new comics again. Bad Thoughts, the story of a man who hears the worst inner thoughts of those around him, is the first thing I pitched Ignition. I’m so thrilled that they gave me the opportunity to finally tell this story.
So… what is the book, aside from being about some poor bastard who lives with other people’s horrific thoughts constantly assaulting his brain? It’s an action thriller with a Stephen King twist, and a heart. There is a lot of action and a lot of violence, but the book is really about a struggle we all face: the challenge of staying sane in a world that constantly bombards us with ugliness, and the importance of having someone in our lives who can share the burden and - with nothing more than love and understanding - ease our pain.
I’ve been describing Bad Thoughts as my baby. Of course, comics are a collaborative medium, and I am so lucky to have had the perfect team along for this ride. Artist Dave Wachter was my first choice for Bad Thoughts. I’m incredibly grateful that he said yes, and for the amazing work he’s done bringing Bad Thoughts to life. Dave elevates every aspect of the story, making every character vital and relatable. And the action sequences are so killer!
We are joined by colorist Brad Walker, who accomplishes what I most love in comic book coloring… a lovely, impactful simplicity. Believe me, it’s a damn tough thing to pull off. AndWorld Design does a wonderful job with the lettering, as well. Believe me, I don’t make it easy with all the gunfire and explosions!
Anyway, I’m grateful for the whole team. I’m thankful for everyone from Ignition Press that made this book possible, and I’m grateful for this Wednesday in June… the day Bad Thoughts becomes not just our book, but yours. Please, please, please seek the first issue out. Today would be ideal, but your schedule is your own, blahblahblah. The point is, go get some!
With love, as always, from Kansas.
-Ande